Grand County is exploring ways to support local businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs through a series of classes and seminars. The initiative is a collaborative effort between Grand County Economic Development, Destination Granby, the Grand County Library District, and the Grand Enterprise Initiative.
In response to requests from chambers and business groups, these organizations are reaching out to the community to gauge interest in various business development topics. They aim to offer courses on subjects such as small business accounting, QuickBooks, digital marketing, social media strategies, traditional advertising, and product development.
The classes are designed to address the challenges and uncertainties that often accompany starting or expanding a business. Many
individuals hesitate to pursue their business ideas due to fear of potential pitfalls and real-world obstacles. These educational offerings seek to provide practical knowledge and guidance to help transform daydreams into viable business ventures.
Patrick Brower, Enterprise Facilitator for the Grand Enterprise Initiative, emphasizes the importance of grounding business
aspirations in reality. While it’s tempting to fantasize about creating a unique product that achieves instant success, the path to entrepreneurship typically involves focusing on local markets, services, and understanding.
Brower shares his own whimsical business fantasy of inventing a widget that can only be manufactured in Grand County’s specific climate conditions. In this dream scenario, he imagines cornering the market, effortlessly producing and marketing the product, and eventually selling the company for millions. However, he quickly acknowledges the impracticality of such a notion, dubbing his imaginary company “Fat Chance Products.”
The proposed classes aim to address the genuine challenges faced by local entrepreneurs. These include identifying market demand, securing funding, developing effective marketing strategies, creating user-friendly websites, and navigating tax obligations. The goal is to equip participants with the tools and knowledge needed to offer valuable local services and products while maintaining the quality of life that drew them to Grand County.
Some of these classes and seminars will be previewed at the upcoming Grand County Economic Summit on November 20. The event will feature breakout sessions and informational gatherings tailored to assist local businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs, based on community input.
To ensure the offerings meet the needs of the community, a survey has been created to gather feedback on desired business classes and services. Interested individuals can access the survey at
https://forms.gle/jLr2GsFCbL3obtPJ9.
Brower, who offers free and confidential business management coaching through the Grand Enterprise Initiative, encourages community participation in shaping these educational opportunities. He jokingly mentions his personal interest in a class on creating profitable locally-made widgets, highlighting the balance between aspirational thinking and practical business education.
The initiative recognizes that while grand business fantasies can be inspiring, the reality of entrepreneurship often lies in understanding and serving local markets. By providing targeted education and support, Grand County aims to foster a thriving business community that enhances the local economy while preserving the area’s unique lifestyle.
As the program develops, it will focus on equipping entrepreneurs with the skills to navigate the complexities of business ownership, from financial management to marketing strategies. The ultimate goal is to create a supportive ecosystem for local businesses, enabling them to grow and contribute to the county’s economic vitality.